Yawn.

Such an easy thing to complain about: TechCrunch's conference produced a (imo) stupid service to give some cash to. Is anyone really surprised by this?

Aside from Slate's always cringe-worthy writing, the entire article starts up a bias by suggesting that Silicon Valley is a thing that should have ideas. I've always detested the glorification of the place. It doesn't matter where ideas come from, so long as they exist. The fact that "Silicon Valley" has become / was / whatever a hotbed doesn't make it any more or less important than any of the other startup friendly areas in the country.

It seems like the author has more of an issue with the app than with the TechCrunch conference itself. Which is fine, I guess, but I have the same response I have for people who complain about TV shows, movies, video games, etc. Don't like it? Don't buy it.